Hey all. Yes, It's been ages since I've updated. And really, I don't think I'll go into my family dysfunctional state, so I'll just say, sorry sorry, beg for forgiveness.

I suppose I've been suffering a mild bout of writer's block. But here I am again! Yay!

and here is another addition of my almost abandoned story.

Dream a Little Dream

Chapter 21: Beautiful Dreamer

Rikku sat up gasping, darting her eyes frantically around the room. Where was she? This definitely wasn't Kilika anymore.

Memories of the night before flooded her mind.

Rikku shivered. What was happening to her? She stared at her hands. Well, at least you couldn't see through them like you could yesterday.

Rikku sat on that bed a long time, staring into space, wondering what was happening to her. Wondering vaguely if this was how Tidus felt when he found out he was going to disappear.

There was only the Macalania temple to go. Then...everything would begin. Or, perhaps, in her case, end.

"So, you're awake." Lulu's calm voice penetrated her thoughts. Rikku looked up to find Lulu standing near the entrance. "I've been standing here for a bit. Is there something on your mind?"

"Since when have I ever had anything on my mind?" Rikku joked. Lulu's lips curved faintly.

"Where's the munchkin?" Rikku wondered, peering around Lulu.

The older woman smiled and shook her head slightly. "Giving his father a hard time. Wakka took him for a walk on the beach, he was getting fussy."

"Awwww...the big tubby daddy out with the munchkin. How sweet!"

Lulu chuckled, and watched Rikku.

Rikku looked down, a little unnerved by former black mage's stare.

"Is there something you want to talk about?"

Rikku's green eyes snapped back to Lulu's. "No! Nothing's wrong, there's nothing to talk about!"

Lulu fell silent again, then she sighed.

"I should think there is something to talk about. I don't think I've ever seen anyone be able to pass through the doors of the cloister trials without opening them."

"Hahahaha! That was just a trick! It was a prank, um I figured out a way to pass through things with a spell. So, see? There's nothing to worry about!" Rikku said, a little desperately.

She wouldn't meet Lulu's eyes.

"Come walk with me." Lulu said quietly.

Rikku swallowed, smiling tremulously. "Okay."

X.X.X.X.

Baralai stormed through the hotel in Kilika, up before everyone else. He walked through the halls with a determined stride. He walked to Gippal's room stood before it, and began pounding viciously at the door.

"Gippal! Gippal! Get up!"

"Go 'way, Baralai" came the muffled, sleepy reply.

Baralai rolled his eyes. Gippal was always very lazy in the morning. He tried another tactic.

"Hey, Gippal. Do you know where Rikku is? I can't seem to find her anywhere-" he paused, listening with satisfaction as crashes, cursing, and thuds occurred from the other side of the door.

He grinned as the door was almost viciously torn off it's hinges as a very angry looking Gippal opened it.

"Dammit! I told her to stay put!" raged a very put out, half naked Gippal. Apparently he had forgotten to put a shirt on, or it his haste, decided it wasn't worth it.

Baralai calmed him down with a stare. His level eyes boring into Gippal's eyes.

"We got a call from St. Bevelle. Apparently Rikku was there last night." Baralai said quietly.

"What? St. Bevelle? But that takes at least a day and a half to get there by boat, longer if you walk." Gippal frowned. "Has the Celsius left?"

Baralai shook his head. "I asked Brother this morning, the Celsius hasn't left the dock."

"But there's something I don't understand. The reports I got from Bevelle say that Rikku was...flickering."

"What?" Gippal asked, looking as confused as Baralai felt. "I called them to make sure there wasn't a misunderstanding. They say that Rikku was practically transparent. They said she closed the seal of the Fayth in the temple."

"You need a concentrated amount of energy to be able to do that. We don't have that type of technology"

"Apparently Rikku does. Yuna recently got a call from her former Guardian, Wakka, he says that she's in Besaid right now."

Gippal wordlessly nodded, and closed the door In Baralai's face, presumably to change.

Baralai sighed, When would Gippal just admit his feelings for Rikku?

.X.X.X.X

Rikku stood at the beach, staring at her feet as the tide splashed around her ankles. Apparently she was becoming less human.

That's what she thought anyway. Why else would she be all ghostlike if she wasn't some sort of alien?

It was odd, she didn't feel anything other then just Rikku. But apparently she was changing.

'I'm a dream' she thought, a sardonic smile curved her lips.

Somewhere along the line, she'd gotten used to the idea of being a dream, to the point where it didn't bother her anymore. At least, not a lot.

Lulu had asked her if anything was wrong. Everything was wrong. Not that she said it. She told them what happened had been a practical joke, that they shouldn't worry about her, because she was absolutely peachy.

She didn't think that Lulu or Wakka believed her. But they didn't ask questions. She thought back to what she had said to Lulu when she said she was leaving.

"Hey, Lulu?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to go soon. I have some unfinished business to do in other parts of Spira. I'd Like you to do me a favor."

"What is it?"

"Yuna is probably going to come here worried about me. Tell her that I've got my own story to finish. That she shouldn't worry. I'll be fine."

"hm. You've grown, Rikku. Into a beautiful young woman."

"Heh, I don't feel beautiful."

"Sometimes you don't have to feel beautiful to be beautiful."

"Thanks Lulu."

"Your welcome.'

"And Lulu?"

"Yes?"

"If...if the leader of the Machine Faction comes here...tell him...tell him I'm sorry. And that...and that I..."

Lulu looked at her, and smiled. "I'll tell him, Rikku."

"Thank you."

Lulu hadn't asked where she was going, perhaps because she knew Rikku wouldn't tell. Back to Kilika. And then To D'jose.

And then to Macalania.

And from there...she didn't know where else she would go.

But she had to see this through, no matter what the outcome.

X.X.X.X.X

Tidus jumped out of the Celsius, followed closely by everyone else. Brother was in the airship, still muttering about how thoughtless Rikku was to leave without telling them. Yuna, as expected, had paced the entire time, wringing her hands and muttering softly to herself about the possible reasons that Rikku could have left without telling them again.

Pain had stood in a corner, talking softly with Nooj and Baralai, her face a smooth mask, save for the worry in her eyes.

And the Machine Faction leader had sat on the floor, head leaning back against the wall, snapping at everyone who happened to come to close.

In short, Tidus was glad they had come to Besaid. He hoped that Lulu or Wakka would be able to help soothe everyone's tight nerves.

Lulu was waiting for them at the beach.

"Yuna, everyone." she smiled looking at them with somewhat sad eyes.

"Lulu. Is Rikku here?" Yuna asked, rushing up to her former guardian.

The black-haired woman shook her head. "I'm sorry, Yuna, but you just missed her."

Yuna's shoulders slumped. "Oh." she whispered, looking worried and hurt at the same time.

"For what it's worth, she wants you to know that she's alright. That she has her own story to finish. She needs some time to grow."

Yuna looked up. "I...guess. But what does she mean her story?"

Gippal burst into the conversation. "What do you mean not worry about her? Rikku can't walk down the road without tripping over something." he snapped.

"She's stronger then she looks Gippal" Paine said, tilting her head to the side in an 'why-are-you-so-worried' manner.

Gippal bristled. Something didn't feel right to him. And it was bothering the hell out of him.

"You're the machine faction leader?" Lulu asked, turning curious eyes to said person.

"Yes. What about it?" He asked, staring her straight in the eye.

Lulu chuckled, motioning for them to follow her. "Paine is right, Gippal, is it? Rikku is much stronger then we all suspect. Much stronger then even she might realize." She walked up the path, not waiting for them to follow. "Come, it's getting dark, why don't you and you're entourage stay for the night?"

Yuna sighed in resignation. "I suppose...Paine? What do you think?"

The red eyed woman shrugged nonchalantly. "Suits me just fine. I don't suppose that Rikku could get into that much trouble..." She trailed off, her red eyes looking up at the beach.

Gippal's hands fisted to his sides. Didn't anyone understand? Something wasn't right. Why didn't anyone feel it?

"I'd like to speak to you alone for a minute, if that's alright, Mr. Faction Leader" Lulu said, once they had gotten into the village.

"Yes." He answered through gritted teeth, unease chiseled in his handsome features.

They walked to the cliff near the temple, the one overlooking the sea. Lulu watched the waves for a bit before speaking.

"Rikku is a remarkable woman..." Lulu said, quietly. "You are a very fortunate young man."

"What are you talking about?"

Lulu smiled, still not looking away from the waves. "She's been through a lot, I imagine. She always pretended to be tough. I won't lie to you, I admired her fire and energy. I still do."

"And?"

Lulu's eyes remained trained at the sea. "She's been through a lot." Lulu said again. "I saw the pain going through her eyes when she found out that Yuna had chosen to be a Summoner. I saw the compassion in her eyes for the people who reserved such hate for her and her people. I saw her childlike innocence, still untainted by everything that she's gone through. I saw her strength when Home fell into ruins. I saw the love reflected in her eyes when she looked at those that matter most."

Gippal stayed quiet. Lulu had gotten his attention. He felt himself relax at hearing her speak about Rikku.

"She was always there to cater to the needs of those who she felt meant more to her then anything else. Her devotion to her friends, and even her family. She is someone who is genuinely fascinated by life."

Gippal found himself smiling. "Yeah, she is..."

"You mean a lot to her. Gippal, Leader of the Machine faction. You mean so much to her. I can see it when she talks about you."

Gippal watched Lulu as the older woman finally turned to him.

"Before she left, she asked me to tell you that she's sorry for the grief she's caused you. And also to tell you, that despite whatever miscommunications you two have...she loves you."

He stood there, frozen.

"She loves you, Gippal. I hope you realize how very lucky you are."

With that she left him. Leaving Gippal to stare out into the ocean, trying to sort out his muddled thoughts.

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

TBC! I'm very sorry that I was unable to update sooner. I had a little bout of Writer's Block, but I pretty much have the rest of the story planned out. I hope I'll be able to update sooner. So, here's hoping. Again, I'd like to thank everyone for their wonderful support through everything that I've been going though. Really, you guys are fantastic. Exactly what a Writer needs. So Thank you, very very very much.